Noisy and running on 5 cylinders

[lateracer]

Will it be easy to slide out with my fingers once the two valve springs are compressed?

Also is there any tool at a local store to replace this special tool? I believe I saw one at advace, i just need the measurements to check for compatability.

Expierienced input is greatly appreciated.

You can rotate the cam shaft to where only two valves are opened by the rocker arm/cam. The idea is to put the head in that position and then use the tool to relieve the spring pressure from those two actuated arms. You might be able to substitute the BMW tool with two individual valve spring compressors that would work on an installed head like this one. I take a different approach when I remove the rocker arm shaft (pull retaining clips, move rockers around so that the two actuated arms are out of line with cam lobes).

Anyway, once the rocker shaft is unweighted, it should slide out with little to no persuasion if the head isn't warped. If the head is even a little warped, the rocker shaft can put up a real fight. Maybe even break a casting on the head. If you're missing the threaded end plug, it could be an indicator that someone has already wrestled a shaft into a less than perfect head.

Starting to look like you can't get out of pulling the head for this.

[Tree25]

Agreed, I was off to a great start but now I am throwing in the flag. I have rotated the cam to where two of the valves are compressed, and one of those being the broken arm. I have no tension on the shaft at all and wreslted the shaft out about an 1/8th of an inch. You must be right the dang head must be warped!

Im hoping its not a pandorous box with a can of worms hiding inside.

Thanks for all of your help, hope to have my E30 back on the road and ready for H20 fest.